Australia's sexting laws

Sexting is the words ‘sex’ and ‘texting’ mixed together. It is when sexual, rude, naked or inappropriate photos or videos are shared on mobiles phones or online. These photos or videos usually involve one person sending images of their private parts or themselves doing rude actions.

It is against the law to send, receive or look at a ‘sext’ when any of the people involved are under the age of 18.

Young people under the age of 18 are considered a child/young person – and it is illegal to look at naked, indecent or inappropriate photos or videos of a child or young person.

If someone is found guilty of sexting, they may be placed on the sex offender register, which means the police will always watch them and know their personal information (where they live, their phone number, where they work).

If your child has sent a sext to someone, they could ask the person to delete it. However, once it is sent, they no longer have control over what happens to it, so there really isn’t anything they can do to prevent it from being shared with others.

Teach them to think before they send – it could have implications in the future!